CNN LIVE EVENT/SPECIAL

President Speaks Before Long Vacation

Aired August 2, 2002 - 11:30 ET

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.

DARYN KAGAN, CNN ANCHOR: We're standing by. We understand President Bush is about to leave the White House. It's going to be the beginning of that month-long vacation. And I don't think that's him -- well, is that him coming around the corner there? Stay with me. There he is. President George W. Bush. We expect him to come up to the microphones and actually make a statement, possibly about this trade bill that he plans to sign today. It's a big legislative victory that the president received, having this bill sent that's going to give him more authority, final authority, in negotiating trade bills. It's something that the president has looked forward to, along with this vacation.

Let's listen to the president.

(JOINED IN PROGRESS)

GEORGE W. BUSH, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: August was a month of accomplishment here in Washington. Today I signed a supplemental which provided needed money for our military, money for the ongoing war on terror and money for homeland security. Next week I'm going to sign a trade promotion authority bill, which is very important for American workers. Today the statistics are out that show that the unemployment rate is holding steady.

We got a lot of work to do to make sure people can find work, and this trade bill's going to help a lot. It's going to help our ranchers, going to help our farmers. It's going to help people find jobs.

I signed a bill that says loud and clear that if you try to fudge the numbers, if you're a CEO of American corporation and don't tell the truth you'll be held to account.

And when you look at these accomplishments and you couple them with the tax cuts or the education bill, the brownfields legislation, it goes to show what is possible when people in this town set aside politics and focus on doing what's right for the American people. It goes to show that when we put our partisanship aside, and people stop all the yelling and hollering and finger-pointing and say, "How can we help the American people," we can get a lot done in this town.

My pledge to the American people, I will continue leading Washington by diffusing all the ugly talk, by keeping big goals in mind, by always remembering we are here to represent the American people. I hope you all have a fine weekend. I look forward to seeing you on Monday. And then I'll be signing that trade bill on Tuesday.

Thank you very much.

QUESTION: Do members of Congress have to take lie detector tests?

KAGAN: Doesn't look like the president plans on answering any questions. Joining Mrs. Bush, they are headed on vacation, going to board Marine One. We believe they are going to Kennebunkport, Maine, first and then heading out to Crawford, Texas, where the president plans to spend the month of August on what they're calling a working vacation.

Oh, apparently he will be meeting up with Mrs. Bush at a different time. She is not getting on board Marine One.

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